Combined tooth brush and handle



April 3, 1956 (:ARLSON 2,740,149

COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH AND HANDLE Filed Feb. 4, 1950 FIG.? 4a FIGB 9 /6/6aINVENTOR. HENRY E. CARLSON Affomey United States Patent Qfiice 2,740,149COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH AND HANDLE Henry E. Carlson, New Britain, Conn.Application February 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,522 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-485)This invention is a combined tooth brush and handle of the general typewherein the brush is separable from the handle and may be used whensupported exteriorly of and on the handle and stored within the handlewhen not in use. Brushes of this character are particularly convenientfor traveling although widely used in the home.

One object of this invention is to provide an extremely A further objectof this invention is to provide an article of this kind which shall beof neat and pleasing appearance, compact and of maximum strength anddurability with a minimum of size and weight, the structure being suchthat it may be economically manufactured and, when the brush becomesunduly worn, it may be discarded and a new brush used with the originalhandle.

In its preferred practical form, the brush is made with a bristled headhaving an integral shank reduced to form a tongue, the opposite faces ofwhich are notched. The

handle is of generally rectangular prismatic form with L all edgesrounded. One end of said handle is made rigid and has in its forward endwall an opening through which and adapted collectively to form, with therigid portion of the handle, a normally closed casing in which the brushmay be positioned when not in use.

A brush holder of unique construction is mounted in the forward end ofthe handle. of a brush holding unit which may be made and assembledexternally of the handle and thereafter positioned therein, ininterfitting relation with the tongue opening of the handle, and thenriveted, soldered or otherwise permanently secured in this positionwithin the handle. When thus assembled and positioned, the tongue of thebrush may be introduced into this brush holder from either the exterioror interior end of the latter, so that the brush may be thus mountedwith its bristled head either on the outside or inside of the handle.When supported by the brush holder inside of the handle, the body of thebrush and its bristles are held free from contact with the interiorsurfaces of the handle while the tongue serves as a seal for saidopening.

An important feature of this invention resides in the structure of theunit which constitutes the brush holder. This holder is preferably madein the form of an elon- This holder is in the form 2,740,149 PatentedApr. 3, 1956 pins which secure the pivoted sections to the rigid portionof the handle. Furthermore, when the pivoted sections are fully opened,with the brush in position of use on the rigid end portion of thehandle, these interfitting parts the accompanying drawing.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one practical embodiment of theinvention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood asillustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article embodying the presentinvention showing the handle in closed position with the brush therein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article with the hinged sectionsof the handle partially opened and the brush within the handle.

Figure 3 is a perspective View similar to Figure 1, but showing thebrush in position for use externally of the handle.

Figure 4 shows the manner in which the brush and handle may be restedupon a flat surface to dry after use.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental plan View of the tongue end of thebrush.

Figure 6 is a fraginental section on the line 6-6 of Figures 1 and 8.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the tongue in plan.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figures 3 and 6.

Figure 9 is a fragmental section on the line 9-9 of Figure 3. This viewis similar to Figure 6 but shows of the brush in like section andpositioned within the brush holder of the handle, with the bristled headof the brush externally of the handle.

Figure 10 is a fragmental section corresponding to Figure 9, but showingthe relation of the parts when the brush head is within the handle.

Figure 11 shows in enlarged perspective the parts of the holding unitdismantled so that their individual structures may be more readilyunderstood.

In said drawing, the brush is shown as embodying a head 1 with bristles2 and an integral shank 3. The end of the shank is reduced to form atongue 4, shown 3 slightly curved surfaces M for reasons presentlyexplained and at the base of the tongue are shoulders 4b. The handle hasa rigid end portion 6 also of generally rectangular shape. It has topand bottom walls 7 and 8, side walls 9, and an end wall 10, said endwall being provided adjacent the top wall 7 with a tongue open ing 11.To the rear edges of the side walls 9 are secured the pivoted sections12 which may, if desired, be perforated, as indicated at 13, forventilation. The pivoted sections are provided at their forward endswith tongues 14 curled around hinge pins 15, the opposite ends of whichare held in beads 16 pressed outwardly from the walls 9 so as to locatethe axes of the pins 15 somewhat externally of the outer planes of theside walls 9, there being provided, adjacent the beads, tongues 16awhich are curled interiorly around the ends of the hinge pins to anchorthe latter securely. This arrangement permits the pivoted sections to beswung from the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to the fullyopen position shown in Figure 4. The free edges of one of the pivotedsections are indented or stepped, as shown at 12a in Figure 2, to fitwithin the other section when the sections are closed and thus form anoverlapping joint between them. The free end of one pivoted section 12is provided with small internal bosses 17 adapted to coact withcomplementary depressions 18 in the other section to normally hold thesection in closed position. A lip 19 is formed on one of the sectionsand may be engaged by the end of the finger or finger nail to disengagethe bosses 17 from the perforations 18 when it is desired to openthepivoted sections.

The walls of the pivoted sections, which abut the top and bottom walls 7and 8 of the rigid portion of the handle, are provided with projections20 which extend into and abut complementary reentrant portions in saidtop and bottom walls to form feet 29 and 21 on which the article may beplaced in upright position with the sections fully opened as shown inFigure 4. When the sections are closed, these projections and re-entrantportions interfit and interlock with one another to impart strength tothe handle and reinforce it against flexing stresses imparted by thehand during use and thus relieve direct strain on the hinge pins.Moreover, when the parts are stood up, as indicated in Figure 4, thefeet 20 and 21 cooperate to hold the parts in vertical position with allparts free from contact with the bristles of thebrush, so that the brushmay readily dry out. These feet form a firm support of relatively smallsize which pe rmits the device to be rested in this manner upon arelatively small supporting surface. Thus several brushes of this kindmay be stood in a small space in a bathroom cabinet. I

Positioned within the rigid portion 6 of the handle is a brush holdingunit adapted to be formed and assembled exteriorly of the handle andthereafter positioned within and secured to the same. The body of thisunit may be conveniently stamped from sheet metal, so as to form aninvertedchannel section comprising a web 22 having parallel side flanges23 and open at its bot tom. Along the lower edges of these flanges 23and near the forward ends thereof are formed depending spacing lugs 24.The lugs 24 are positioned near but spaced from the forward end of thechannel section a distance approximately equal to the thickness of theend wall 10 of the handle to form at the lower corners and at theforward ends of the channel sections notches 24a, shown best in Figurell.

Depending from the lower edges of the flanges 2'3 and near the rear endsthereof are ears 25. The purpose of these ears is to secure a leafspring 26 to the channel section. This leaf spring, shown best in Figure11. has an overall width approximately equal to that of the channelsection. It is however provided along its lat eral edges with cut outs27 spaced from its rear'end. This spring is adapted to be placed with alarge portion ell) of its length in face abutting relation with thelower edges of the flanges 23, with the ears 25 extending through thecut cuts 27, and those portions of the ears 25 which then extend belowthe spring are bent inwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure ll,to firmly anchor the spring to the channel section. The forward endportion of the spring is reduced in width, as shown at 28, so as torender said forward portion of less width than the dimension across theinterior of the channel and the free end of said reduced portion isprovided with an upturned head 29. The spring is so tensioned that thebead 29 will normally project above the lower edges of the flanges 23and into the interior of the straight through channel or passage therebyformed within the resulting unit. The cross section of this channel issubstantially the same as the cross section of the brush tongue 4 andthe spring is of such length that the bead terminates short of thenotches 24a. When the spring is thus mounted, the ears 25 will hold thespring against lateral shifting with the bead within the confines ofsaid channel. The web 22 is provided at its rear end with an upsetattaching tab or flange 30 which may be perforated as indicated at 31for rivets.

The opening 11 in the forward end wall 10 of the handle is of a size andshape corresponding to the exterior contour of the forward end of thechannel section of the brush holding unit. Such being the case, thebrush holding unit may be positioned within the handle with the forwardend of the channel section projecting into and seated within saidopening 11, with the lugs 24 engaging with the inner surface of the wall10 and the notches 24a engaging the lower edge of the opening. This willposition the forward edge of the channel section flush with the outersurface of the wall 10. By thus interfitting the channel section intosaid opening 11, the forward end of the channel section is registeredwith the opening 11. If the upset attaching flange 30 is then secured tothe top wall 7 of the handle by means of rivets 32, the brush holdingunit will be permanently and rigidly secured within the handle, for itsforward portion is engaged with the end wall 10 by the interfittingrelation described and its rear portion is secured to the wall 7 by therivets 32. Solder or any other suitable attaching means may be used inlieu of the rivets, but in any event the result is the same.

Inasmuch as the cross section of the interior of the brush holding unitcorresponds to the cross section of the tongue 4, it will be apparentthat the tongue may be introduced into such holder from either endthereof. When introduced from the outer end, the curved surfaces 4a ofthe tongue will have a camrning action with the head 29 of the spring,causing the spring to be retracted or bent downwardly at its forward enduntil the bead is juxtaposed with one of the notches 5 whereupon thebead will enter into such notch, as shown in Figure 9, and lock thebrush against inadvertent displacement. The brush may, however, bewithdrawn with moderate force because the rear surface of the V shapednotch 5 thus engaged will exert a camming action on the bead tofacilitate such withdrawal.

The tongue may also be introduced into the channel or passage of theholder frornthe inside of the handle, but in that case the bead 29 doesnot engage with the notch 5. It merely exerts sufficient pressureagainst the surfaceof the tongue, as shown in Figure 10, to frictionallyhold the brush in position with the end of the tongue forming a closureseal for the outer end of the channel.

Figure 3 shows the brush so positioned with respect to the handle thatthe bristles extend upwardly, but, if desired, the tongue may beinserted in inverted position to thus invert the bristles, as indicatedin Figure 4.. It is 'for this reason that the tongue 4 of the brush ispmvided withnotches -'5 in both its upper and lower surfaces. For eitherposition of the brush bristles, "the brush is anodes effectuallysupported against lateral forces when in use by the side flanges 23 ofthe channel section. When the bristles are in the up position, shown inFigure 3, downward forces resulting from the action of brushing teethare adequately withstood by the web 22 of the channel section and thelower edge of the opening 11. When the brush is reversed so that thebristles extend in a downward direction, upward forces are braced by theweb 22 of the channel section and the anchored rear portion of thespring 26, which forms in effect a fourth wall of the channel or passagethrough the holder. When the brush is positioned externally of thehandle for use, the shoulders 4b between the end of the shank for thenotches 5 are so gripped by the bead 29 will be in firm contact wall 10.

It will be noted that the lower edges of the flanges 23 are providedwith openings 23a. These openings facilitate thorough washing out of thetongue receiving channel of the brush holder, without collection ofwater between the spring and the lower edges of the flanges 23.

When the brush is not in use, it is contained within the handle and thehandle is closed, as shown in Figure 1. When it is to be used the handlesections 12 are opened, as shown in Figure 2, and the brush is removedand the tongue thereof positioned within the brush holding unit from theexterior of the handle, as shown in Fig ure 3, or in the reversedposition to which I have referred. After use, the handle sections 12 arefully opened and then rested on a flat surface, as shown in Figure 4, topermit the parts to dry out. are dried, the brush may be position andplaced within sections 12 closed to house and fully protect it until Theforegoing detailed vention in its preferred practical form, but theinvention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appendedclaims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handle havingan undivided and non-expandable end wall at its forward end with a brushopening through which the rigid shank of a brush is adapted to berectilinearly inserted, there being handle a tooth brush holder both ofits opposite ends and secured within the handle with its passage inalinement with the brush opening, a spring operable through one wall ofthe holder to positioned that, when they are of the spring, theseshoulders with the'outer face of the end removed from its exterior thehandle and the pivoted the brush in sterile condition it is desired toagain use it.

having a passage open at engage with and hold the brush shank when thelatter is longitudinally pushed into either end of the passage of theholder, such holder having non-yieldable walls supporting all sides ofthe shank when the latter is in place therein.

2. A combined tooth brush and handle according to claim 1, wherein theshank of the brush used with said handle has a cross section tolongitudinally pass freely through said brush opening and is providedwith at least one notch adapted to be engaged by the free end of thespring when the shank is pushed into the holder from the forward end ofthe latter.

3. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handle havingin the end Wall of its forward end a brush opening through which therigid shank of a brush is adapted to be inserted, there being providedwithin the hollow handle a brush holder into either end of which thebrush shank may be inserted, the forward end of which holder is seatedin said opening and the rear end of which is attached to a wall of thehandle rearwardly of said end wall to mount the brush holder Eitherbefore or after they description sets forth the inprovided within thehollow 1 within the handle, one wall of said-brush holder em bodying aleaf spring to engage with and hold the brush shank when the latter islongitudinally pushed into either end of the holder.

4. A combined tooth brush and handle according to claim 1, wherein thebrush holder comprises an elongated rigid channel section having flangesand an open side, the latter of which is closed by a leaf springanchored to the flanges of the channel section.

5. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a rigid brush shankstepped at its free end to form shoulat least one of its faces, incombination with a hollow handle provided in the end wall of its forwardend with a tongue opening, a tubular brush holder secured within thehandle rearwardly of said end wall with its forward the brush tongue maybe inserted, one embodying a spring carrying a bead projecting into theconfines of the holder to engage with the tongue notch when the tongueis extending into the holder with the shoulders of the brush shank inabutting relation with the exterior surface of the end wall of thehandle, the remaining walls of the holder being nonexpandable.

6. A combined tooth brush and handle comprising: a hollow handleembodying a rigid forward end portion having relatively rigid top,bottom, side and end walls the latter of which is provided with a brushshank receiving opening, a tubular brush holder positioned within saidrigid end portion in registration with said brush opening and intoeither end of which the shank of a brush may be inserted, and a pair ofcomplementary pivoted handle sections having side walls hinged to theside Walls of the rigid forward end portion on hinge pins positionedwith their axes externally of the side walls of the latter and alsohaving top, bottom and end wall flanges adapted to abut one another toform with the rigid forward end portion an enclosure, the top and bottomflanges of both sections having projections exend portion havingrelatively rigid top, bottom, side and end walls, and a pair ofcomplementary pivoted handle sections having side walls hinged to theside walls portion an enclosure, the top and bottom flanges of bothsections having projections extending into and interfitting withcomplementary recesses in the top and bottom walls of the rigid forwardend portion, whereby said interfitting projections and recesses impartrigidity to the handle as a whole when the sections are closed and theprojections may serve as feet to hold the sections in vertical positionwhen the sections are opened and the handle is stood upright on its openend.

8. A brush holding unit for tooth brush handles comprising: an elongatedchannel section having spaced apart flanges and an open side, the latterof which is closed for the greater portion of its length by a leafspring with one end of the spring anchored to the flanges of saidsection and bearing against the longitudinal free edges thereof and theother end of the spring of less width than the distance between saidflanges, said spring being biased to normally impel the reduced endthereof into a position between said flanges, whereby the spring isadapted to grip the shank of a tooth brush introduced into the channelsection from either end of the latter.

9. A brush holding unit according to claim 8, wherein 7 the 'freeend ofthe spring terminates ina transversebead adapted to engage with thebrush shank.

10. A brushholding unit'according to claim 8, wherein the spring isanchored to the flanges by ears formed on the flanges and extendingthrough notches in the lateral edges of the spring and bent intoengagement with the outer surface of the spring.

1 1. A brush holding unit comprising: an elongated channel sectionhaving a web with flanges and an open side, the open side being closedfor the greater portion of its length by a leaf spring, one end portionof which bears against the free longitudinal edges of the flanges withits other end portion -'of reduced Width to extend between the flanges,said flanges being provided at their free longitudinal edges and nearoneend *of the channel section with projecting ears extending throughnotches in theedges'of the-spring and'bent 'over the outer surface ofthe-spring to secure said spring to the flanges and said longitudinaledges of the flanges being also provided with projecting positioninglugs spaced from the opposite "end of the channel section.

8 12. A 'brush holding unit according to claim 11, wherein the web ofthe channel "section is provided at its end opposite the lugs with anintegral attaching tab.

'13. A combined tooth brush and handle according *to' claim 1, whereinthe shank of the brush used with said handle is adapted to be engaged bythe free end of the spring when the shank is pushed into the holder fromthe inside end of the latter.

References Citedinthe file of this patent UNITED STATES "PATENTS

